Friday 9th February 2024 will go down in my little world as a momentous day indeed.
Why ?
I finally passed my MOD 2 riding test which means that now I am the proud owner of a Full Unrestricted UK Motorcycle licence.
West London Motorcycle Training truly deserve all my thanks and gratitude for their patience and passion in getting me bang up to scratch to confidently pass both my MOD 1 and MOD 2.
Maxine (Admin and Owner), Max, Brian, Adrian and Chris are all stars in their own right and whoever you get allocated to show you the ways of motorcycling, you will not be disappointed.
I wish to publically thank Max who metaphorically “kicked me up the Ar%e”, i needed it, getting me test ready before the MOD 2 test and for the words of riding wisdom she shared with me on the way back to the school after I PASSED.
Off I went to the other group of people who have been patient with me during my journey to PASS MY MOTORCYCLE TEST, that being the great guys and gals at HGB Motorcycles Ruslip.
Kitting me out with the CB125F after failing my MOD 1 due to lack of motorbike confidence and current road experience, a lot has changed since I was a dispatch Rider in the 80’s, to supplying and fitting a new tire when my rear one deflated and did not pump back up after a visit to Box Hill to Kevin advising my on going to the CB500F (2022 model) as my first big bike & for giving general great advise on my visits, I thank you all at HGB and look forward to a long trading relationship going forward.
Kevin and his team readied my Honda CB500F in the late afternoon for me to ride home.
First ride was a baptism of fire as it rained, I needed fuel and it was rush hour traffic but we both made is home safely.
The next day I had my first Ride out on the new bike which was to see my mate Gary, a long time biker, to gain some experience with my new road partner & for him to see what I bought.
He owns many motorcycles, all over 500cc, so was a bit skeptical about my choice until he saw it in the flesh. He was very impressed.
So after a coffee and a longish natter about possible tours to France and Portugal we might be doing, I rode off to J&S Accessories to grab an Oxford Tail bag and let them know the good news.
Really great staff at J&S St Albans so if your passing, pop in and browse the large stock of cool motorcycling gear.
I got a missed call from Triumph Watford, where I placed a deposit on the new Street 400, so after fitting the Oxford Tail Bag, more about the in a seperate post and video, I went on a mini cruise from St Albans to Watford to see what the call was about.
Something got lost in communication when I arrived as the sales team did not make the call but thought that I might of been put on a test ride list for Saturday to be taken up if I passed my test.
They were really pleased with learning I had passed and we have agreed to meet up in a couple of weeks to discuss me owning the Black Street 400.
By now CB500 and I , need to think of a name for her, had started to gel.
I’m loving the rumble of the exhaust, the way she delivers a smooth and seamless power surge, no snatching on throttling down and being so nimble to ride.
Sunday I took her to get a wash in Uxbridge as she had gotten dirty and as the sun came out, it felt wrong to just go home.
Box Hill (Ryker’s Cafe) beckoned so off we went, again via the back lanes and A roads, learning more and more about each other as we traveled.
Met up with Joe, the owner of the Triumph I photographed some time ago, who was also pleased I had passed and totally agreed that the CB500F was a great choice for my first big bike.
Today, Monday, I left for work in the dark at 5am and decided to see how the motorway would feel on the CB500F, stock no windscreen.
No major issues at all but to add some extra comfort I have ordered the official fly screen to aid in a bit of wind disbursement at speeds greater than 60mph, not that I plan on doing much of that with my photography journey via the UK’s Back lanes and A roads.
My first few days as a Full Motorbike Licence owner has been great fun.
Everything I hoped for and the CB500F and I are getting to know each other fast.
Loads of new videos and blogs in the pipeline coupling photography and motorcycling in and around the UK and maybe Europe.
I wish you well and safe journeys
DC x